Encountered young soldier at a train said “I am returning home because I am too feeble.” Taken by Lee Joon at South Pyongan Province on June 2005. (ASIA PRESS)
◆ The Military producing the starved
What is real situation of the North Korean People’s Army? The facts are true: They are striving to develop mass destruction weaponry, have more than 50,000 commandos and a large number of long range canons that aim at the South Korean Capitol, Seoul. This is truly intimidating to South Korea including neighboring countries. But, many defectors from North Korea assert in one voice that the North can never be able to carry a full-scale war.
Related article: 〈Photo Report 5〉 Malnutrition Rampant Among The People’s Army
A reporting partner in North Korea, Koo Gwang-ho talked about the reality of the soldiers in the People’s Army: “It is common to hear that people starve to death in the military. When a soldier died, they notice it to his parents. They explain the cause of death to the devastated parents, saying “the soldier died of diarrhea.” Not so foolish parents easily recognize that their son starved to death. Having heard that kind of story, parents weep when their son gets the notice of conscription.”
Young, exhausted soldiers are sitting at a plaza in front of a station. Taken by Shim Eui-cheon at Sariwon City on October 2008. (ASIA PRESS)
North Korean people said sarcastically, “Is it possible for a starving army to carry a war? It must be true that they keep a secret military for real battle once the war occurs.” (ISHIMARU JIRO)
※ Returned home by the military is ‘a sick bail.’ It is based on the judgement that the soldier may die if he is abandoned without care at the barrack. The worst is classified as “feebleness 3,” followed by better condition of 2 or 1. The military sometimes demands several kilograms of food to the parents in order to have their son come home with the feebleness 1-2 condition.
【Related article】
◆ Korean People’s Army Extends 10 Year Service Term To 11 Years
◆ The Testimony of a Starving Soldier: “Half of us are malnourished”
◆ 〈Photo Report 4〉Inspection At The Metro Station Entrance – “No Shabby Cloths, No Large Luggage!”
* Editor’s notes on North Korean reporters
ALL REPORTS >>>
ARCHIVE(pdf) >>
DPRK MAP >>
